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Treatment with ect is associated with an increase of nitric oxide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

R. Hoekstra ,
D. Fekkes ,
A.J. Loonen ,
S. Tuinier  and
W.M. Verhoeven
R. Hoekstra
Affiliation:
Delta Psychiatric Centre, Poortugaal, The Netherlands
D. Fekkes
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam,The Netherlands
A.J. Loonen
Affiliation:
Delta Psychiatric Centre, Poortugaal, The Netherlands Delta Chair on Pharmacotherapy in Psychiatric Patients, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical Care, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
S. Tuinier
Affiliation:
GGZ Groep Noord- en Midden Limburg, Venray, The Netherlands
W.M. Verhoeven
Affiliation:
GGZ Groep Noord- en Midden Limburg, Venray, The Netherlands Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

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Background:

Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) is an effective treatment option for patients with a major depressive disorder. Despite a lot of research efforts the exact mechanism of action of ECT is still not clear.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous compound, synthesized out of arginine with citrulline as concomitant product. In the endothelium NO production leads to vasodilatation and in the central nervous system it acts as neuromodulating agent. NO is increasingly thought to be related to neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methods:

In 20 severely depressed, medication free patients, we measured the ratio of citrulline to arginine (Cit-Arg ratio) in plasma, before and after treatment with ECT. This ratio could be regarded as a reflection of the synthesis of NO.

Results:

The Cit-Arg ratio in the depressed patients was not different from healthy controls. After treatment a significant increase of the Cit-Arg ratio was found.

Conclusion:

Treatment with ECT was associated with an increase of the synthesis of NO. The exact role of NO in the mechanism of action of ECT deserves further study.

Type
Poster Session 1: Personality Disorders
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 22 , Issue S1: 15th AEP Congress - Abstract book - 15th AEP Congress , March 2007 , pp. S174
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2007
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